The Gateway of Knowledge, the Commander of the Faithful
Imam Ali (a.s.) was sitting among his companions when a man approached him and
sought his advice about the remedy for the sins he had committed and Imam Ali
(a.s.) advised him to recite Istighfar. After some time, another person
approached the Imam (a.s.) and complained about poverty and sought advice to
increase sustenance and the Imam advised him also to recite Istighfar. Later,
another person came and asked for advice for offspring (children) and the Imam
(a.s.) repeated the same advice of reciting Istighfar. After some time, a man
came and told the Imam (a.s.) that he had a garden which was destroyed and
sought advice to replenish the loss. Imam Ali (a.s.) gave him the same advice
to recite IstIghfar. Some people from the outskirts of Madinah came and sought
help for the drying up of a small river which they toiled to direct towards
their village. Imam Ali (a.s.) repeated the same advice to them to recite Istighfar.
The companions inquired about the prescription of Istighfar
for different situations as stated above. The Gateway of Knowledge, Imam
Ali (a.s.) referred them to Surah Nuh Ayah 10 and 12 which says, “(Noah told
his people) Ask forgiveness from your Lord; He is All-forgiving, strengthen you
by (providing) you wealth and children, and make gardens and streams for you”.
Surah Nasr was revealed at the time of the Victory of
Makkah which says, “(Muhammad), when help and victory come from Allah, you will
see large groups of people embracing the religion of Allah. Glorify your Lord
with praise and ask Him for forgiveness. He accepts repentance.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was infallible, hence
there is no question of Istighfar from sins as normally people think that
Istighfar is always for seeking forgiveness from sins. Now it is clear why the
Fourteen Infallibles used to recite Istighfar.
Surah al-Anfal Ayah 33, says, “Allah would not punish
them while you were among them nor while they were asking for forgiveness.” In this
regard the existence of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) is a safety for the
population of earth. Also seeking forgiveness hinders calamities. The same
concept was asserted by the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) in Nahjul
Balagha (saying 88) after the demise of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), “There
were two sources of deliverance from Allah’s punishment, one of which has been
raised up, while the other is before you. You should therefore adhere to it.
(Which is seeking forgiveness). Similarly, in the famous Supplication of Imam
Ali (a.s.) in Dua-e-Kumayl, there is a clause that points to the sins which
afflictions to come down. It is recited as follows:
“O
Allah! Forgive me the sins which bring about tribulation”
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an Urdu Translation of Tafsir-e-Namoona
by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem Shirazi
Inspiration
from a speech by Allama Talib Johari
Mashallah
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